Encore, please: Let’s make this St. Pat’s Day at Cal Poly as safe as last year’s | Opinion

On an otherwise unremarkable March morning in a SLO neighborhood adjacent to the Cal Poly Campus — nothing happened.

Off in the distance, a faint and rhythmic beat could be heard emanating from Cal Poly’s “Morning on the Green” concert along with students laughing and enjoying the morning with friends. The streets remained clear and quiet, and residents were free from worry as an unruly street party never happened.

The Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day was like any other peaceful and enjoyable Saturday in SLO.

Celebrating nothing is not the same as nothing to celebrate. Thankfully, on March 15, 2025, nothing happened, but this was indeed a tremendous occasion for all to celebrate.

Last year we urged our community to make a positive change and to respect the peace and safety of all our community members. This is exactly what happened. Our student community came together to show just what Learn by Doing can mean. You made a change — and our whole community took note and was grateful and most appreciative.

While one event does not make a pattern, we recognize the huge leap forward we’ve made together to take the party out of the street and to work collaboratively to celebrate safely and in a way that preserves peace and respect for all.

This year, we no longer hope for, but expect our collaboration to grow even stronger. Your Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo police departments support students in having the best college experience possible. College should be a time of making memories, growing as individuals and learning to be responsible community members and neighbors.

Part of that journey is recognizing that our actions have consequences. The goal is to graduate with a great education and lasting, positive memories — not with a criminal record, costly fines and citations, or a history of poor decisions that follow you for years to come.

We again urge students to denounce unsanctioned street parties and unruly house parties but instead take part in the fun, organized activities at Cal Poly and in downtown San Luis for St. Patrick’s Day.

Let’s again show that as a community we can and do celebrate responsibly while equally respecting our peers and neighbors. This year, let’s continue the change and look forward to celebrating “nothing.”

The street party is (still) over. A change has been made, and we’re creating a future of which we can be proud.

Rick Scott is police chief of the city of San Luis Obispo. Rob Plastino is chief of the Cal Poly University Police Department.